Here We Go Again

[CaptLloyd]

Stick,

We have all been waiting anxiously for your latest post, glad to see you back Everything's lookin' awesome, almost time to splash . Once you get it dialed in, I'll be very interested to know how high above the parallel of the keel your cavitation plate is.

Thanks and keep up the great work!!

Lloyd

[hermco]

This part ended up having tons of alligators....a result of using too much wax and the pva.

IMHO if you let the PVA dry the alligators were from inproper mixing of gel before catalyst,or not enough catalyst in gelcoat and inproper mixing, or gelcoat too thin. Or a combination of all or some of above. Could also be ambient temp during gelcoat cure.

You also have to let the gel cure fully before the first skin!

[JohnB]

Don has much more experience with gelcoat gators, and has probably diagnosed it, but one thing I have found when I made my live well mold was to spray, with a spray gun, 2 coats of pva. The first one very light, and let it dry for about 30 min, and then the second one heavy, but no runs. Then let it sit an hour, the put the gelcoat on. IMHO, if you don't get it on even, or have some of it that is "wet/moist" underneath, it gators. One of your pictures looks like my cap, which I put pva on with a brush (bad idea).

[strick]

Thanks for the comments fellas. I did let the PVA dry. I then rolled on the Duratec maybe a little too thick. Then while it was still slightly tacky I then started the lay up. Your probably right Donald.

I was thinking that the combination of just wiping on the wax and not buffing it.... plus the PVA caused the part to Pre-release too fast which in turn caused tha gators but what the hell do I know... I'm just a rookie. I've made lots of parts with molds and this is the second time I've got gators so I'm new to the whole gator thing. All I know is that the only gators I ever want to see again better be in a swamp.

strick

[hermco]

Gators and pre release are two different animals. I would guess the fact that you skinned a non cured gel or Duratec is at least part of the cause for the gators.

[zach]

Looks great Strick. Question: How far back is your bracket? I'm about to purchase a bracket for my 20' and I've read that 30" is overkill, too far back. I plan on putting a Merc 175 Opti on the back, so I imagine it is a little taller than your Yamaha. Thoughts?

[1bayouboy]

And where'd you get the batt switch box.....I really like that. It's all looking great!!!!!!!!!

[strick]

The weather gods have been good to me lately allowing for ample time to work on the boat. Things are really starting
to take shape now. I have the LP mounted and all the plumbing to the live well complete. The only things left to are to finish the wiring, rigging and then some upholstery work. I've been instructed by one of the higher up's on this site keep the pics coming!

Here are some shots of the basic layout on the boat;




Emblem and sticker are affixed to the hull! The big thru hull is the drain for the bait tank;




The bracket has a 25 inch set back



Shut off for the bait well overflow



Lid for the bait well (3/8 plexiglass)




The starboard side of the Lp has a quick release for the wash down hose;



On the port side there is another door and a end of day drain for the bait tank. After talking with bigshrimpin I
decided that I did not want to cut another hole in the side of the boat for the bait tank drain. It will drain onto
the deck and out the scuppers. I usually fish with just a few live baits for stripers so the water could not be too gross most of the time.




Some of the plumbing inside the LP




The fiberglass Leaning post has a flange that fits perfectly into the top of the bait tank




I had limited room in my rigging tube and while I was able to fit all the rigging thru the tube things were a bit cramped in there so I decided to install a pos and neg terminal on the transom so I can run smaller battery cables
to the motor thereby freeing up some space in the rigging tube.



Access door on the transom;



Theres plenty of room to walk around on this boat;




Dont mess with this fella;



strick

[Snookerd]

Strick-
Major eye candy! The Kodiak baitwell fits great. Looking good. When is the splash date??

[65Bowrider]

Strick,
So much forethought, planning, and beautiful execution!

Very, very nice work. It will be a proud day when you splash her and hope you keep all of us posted with more pictures. Thank you.